We recently had the chance to connect with Tara Haynes and have shared our conversation below.
Hi Tara, thank you so much for taking time out of your busy day to share your story, experiences and insights with our readers. Let’s jump right in with an interesting one: What do you think is misunderstood about your business?
In today’s world, where information is instantly accessible, I think society has lost sight of the true value that professionals in trade-based businesses bring — and real estate is a prime example. The industry is often glamorized, but the reality is far more complex.
As real estate agents, we are self-employed, which means we shoulder significant responsibilities beyond simply helping clients buy or sell homes. We pay a percentage of our income to our brokerage (anywhere from 10–50%), handle our own taxes, and face some of the highest tax burdens as self-employed individuals. On top of that, we invest upfront in professional photography (averaging around $450 per listing), marketing, and social media campaigns.
Our role goes far beyond contracts and showings. We often find ourselves acting as cleaners, therapists, problem-solvers, and local experts — all while working around the clock. We’re required to stay current with continuing education, law updates, and fair housing regulations. We can’t “steer” or give personal opinions, yet we’re expected to guide clients through life-changing decisions, sometimes even helping them purchase homes sight unseen.
The day-to-day realities are rarely visible: keeping toilet paper and muck boots in the car, going hours without eating or drinking, driving extensively while factoring in gas, maintenance, and wear-and-tear. Because we are self-employed, we’re constantly working on our business — every single day.
What’s misunderstood is that this profession is so much more than what people see on the surface. At its core, the goal is to serve clients, protect their interests, and provide expertise and guidance in one of the most important decisions of their lives. It’s demanding, multifaceted, and deeply personal work — far beyond the glamorous image often portrayed.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
I am a proud 757 — and soon-to-be 252 — Real Estate Professional. In addition to serving as Principal Broker, I work directly with buyers and sellers and also manage properties. I’ve been in real estate since 2001, and my background includes serving as a litigation manager at the second-largest law firm in Dallas, Texas, as well as at First American. Over the years, I’ve gained extensive experience with real estate closings, title issues, evictions, foreclosures, probate, REO property resales, and loan modifications.
I’ve even owned my own brokerage, though what surprises many people is that I never wanted to — and truthfully, I disliked every minute of it. I’m highly career-driven, but my passion lies in helping others build their dreams and their teams. My “superpower” is creating systems, driving efficiency, and yes, sometimes making things awkward in the process.
I believe money is simply the byproduct of the service I provide. While many see me as bubbly, outgoing, and always on the move, I’m actually an introvert who values silence. I’m also much softer and kinder than my appearance or facial expressions might suggest.
One thing I stand firm on is compensation. I work for 3%, and I don’t negotiate that — not just for myself, but for women in my profession and for every real estate agent. Accepting less than our value diminishes the profession as a whole, and I refuse to contribute to that.
Appreciate your sharing that. Let’s talk about your life, growing up and some of topics and learnings around that. Who saw you clearly before you could see yourself?
The single most important thing in my life has been the friendships I’ve built along the way. I’ve been fortunate to be surrounded by women who speak truths I sometimes can’t see, who remind me that we can’t always trust our own thoughts, and who offer perspective like therapists do.
Having adults around you as a child who speak life into you is crucial, because children absorb the words and attitudes of the adults they look up to. I’ve also learned that just because someone hands me something negative — like a “bag of problems” — I don’t have to accept it or carry it.
Today, I only receive feedback from people who truly matter in my life, those I trust deeply. That circle is intentionally small, and it keeps me grounded, focused, and aligned with what’s most important.
What have been the defining wounds of your life—and how have you healed them?
Two experiences have defined me more than anything else. The first was losing my sister, Allie, on my 45th birthday. She was only 33, and her passing from strep throat was sudden and shocking. I felt her leave this world thirty minutes before it was confirmed, and in that moment, I realized how much of my identity was tied to her. She was my person — the one I spoke to every single day, the one I shared my deepest fears, hurts, joys, and dreams with. She was my best friend, and she always saw me as amazing. After she was gone, I understood that I had to learn to love myself the way Allie loved me, because you can’t look outside yourself for something you don’t give to yourself first. Healing for me has meant seeing myself through her eyes and offering myself the same validation and acceptance she so freely gave.
The second defining wound has been coming to peace with the reality that I was born to parents who did not want or like me. For years, I carried the weight of that rejection, but I’ve come to understand that there is nothing wrong or defective about me. I never asked to be born, and yet I am here — an amazing, kind, and successful human being. Strangers confide in me, animals and babies are drawn to me, and I’ve built a life full of love and purpose. My parents could choose to see me with gratitude, because I am the byproduct of everything they failed to provide.
Both of these experiences have shaped me profoundly. They taught me resilience, self-love, and the importance of finding strength within.
Next, maybe we can discuss some of your foundational philosophies and views? Is the public version of you the real you?
The version of me that the public sees is real, but it’s only part of who I am. What I share outwardly are aspects of my personality, not the entirety of it. At my core, I’m a very private and insulated person, yet I’ve developed the ability to make people feel as though they truly know me.
In public settings or at events with a lot of social interaction, people can sometimes walk away unsure of who I really am. That’s because how I show up depends on the vibe, the mood, and where I am mentally and emotionally. In reality, I’m often quieter and reserved than I appear, and there’s a softer, sweeter, happier version of me that I rarely let the world see.
One consistent thing, though, is my innate ability to connect with people on a deeper level than they’re used to. No matter the setting, I carry a natural charisma that allows me to build genuine connections — even if the public version isn’t the full picture of me.
Before we go, we’d love to hear your thoughts on some longer-run, legacy type questions. What is the story you hope people tell about you when you’re gone?
I want to be remembered as someone who was kind, giving, and generous — someone who showed up with love. Yes, I had a mouth like a sailor and embodied the definition of “if you push, you’ll find out,” but at the core, I always tried to leave people better than I found them. Despite my flaws, I never stopped fighting to heal and to become whole.
“I showed up with love, left people better than I found them, and never stopped fighting to heal.”
Contact Info:
- Website: https://GreenTreeRealty.homes/tara-haynes
- Instagram: https://instagram.com@tarahaynes757
- Facebook: https://facebook.com/tarahaynes757
Image Credits
Liz Watson @ Soul Shine
Jennifer Vetter
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